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A Humberside Police spokesperson said: “We strongly suspect at least two Transit-style vans have been used across the whole force to commit the fuel thefts, one being white and the second being silver.

“On all occasions, the vans – using a variety of false number plates – have approached the forecourt of the petrol station, filled the vehicle up and driven away, without offering payment.

“The unusual thing about these incidents is that the majority of them took place at a number of petrol stations, quite literally, one straight after the other.

“Officers are working across the force in an attempt to try to locate the offender or offenders who have been stealing the fuel, which at present totals more than £3,000.

“It is not known what is happening to the stolen fuel, although it’s likely it’s being sold on or taken into another force area.

“Petrol stations across the force are also working alongside police to try to target those people who are responsible.”

As reported on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk yesterday, Humberside Police has released a CCTV image of the silver Transit-style van they want to trace.

Anyone who may have information in connection with any of the fuel thefts can call them on 101, quoting log 156 of January 6. Meanwhile, on Tuesday at 4pm, a white Transit van filled up at a petrol station in Goole and left without offering payment.

The spokesman said: “Some really good work was carried out by the police and the van was stopped and both the driver and passenger were arrested within 30 minutes of the report being made to the police.

“Inside the van was more than 100 litres of fuel in a large container.

“We know the van had been previously stolen in a burglary from Woodmansey at the end of January.

“Both men have now been released on police bail pending further inquiries.”

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "We know the van had been previously stolen in a hanoi burglary from Woodmansey at the end of January 2014."
Where was is stolen? Hanoi (long way from here!) or Woodmansey?